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c sus .e du /s a c s t ate ma ga z in e | S pr i ng 2 015 15
loria Gonzalez has had many roles in her life:
wife, mother, caregiver, mentor, advocate,
volunteer and, for the past 12 years, Sac State's
First Lady.
But, take it from her husband, University President
Alexander Gonzalez, she also has been a full and active
partner in his presidency.
"What an opportunity for us to be able to do so much for
students and the community," says Gloria Gonzalez, reflecting
on their time together. "I would never have imagined that for
us when we got married. We never thought he would be a
university president someday, but it's been a nice fit.
"What I'm taking from this experience is priceless:
Sacramento has been an amazing community. The people
here embraced us, even during the tough times. We've made
amazing connections, and we see alumni and students
wherever we go. It's been wonderful."
The Gonzalezes will continue to make Sacramento their
home after his retirement and they plan to travel some and
entertain a lot, with the president manning the barbecue. They
also plan to return to campus to enjoy theatrical productions
and other activities.
Gloria Gonzalez was 17 and in high school when she met the
21-year-old airman first class who would become her husband.
They've been married for 44 years and have raised two sons.
"Alex and I came from the same area of Los Angeles and have
the same background," she says, "so we had a connection early
on that was amazing. We've always been partners during our
marriage.
"And even though Alex can be very serious, he's a generous,
kind man who has helped so many people."
Presidential
partner
Gloria Gonzalez
embraces role as First Lady
G
initiative that Gonzalez launched in 2004. Among his goals: to foster
excellent academic and student programs, build a welcoming campus,
create a dynamic physical environment and develop community support.
He envisioned Sacramento State as a premier metropolitan university, the
flagship of the CSU and a destination campus for the West.
A record number of first-time freshman applicants for fall 2015 serves
as proof that Sacramento State is now a destination campus, with the
majority of applicants coming from outside the Sacramento region. In
addition, more students are transferring to Sacramento State from other
CSU campuses.
Gonzalez has been tireless in his efforts to improve students' lives,
and the physical changes to the campus during his administration have
been extraordinary. New facilities include the suite-style American River
Courtyard residence hall, the Hornet Bookstore, the Eli and Edythe L.
Broad Fieldhouse and a multilevel parking structure.
Gonzalez worked closely with students on a referendum to fund
construction of The WELL, a state-of-the-art student recreation and
wellness center that opened in 2010 and which has become a central hub
on campus. And the year before, Sac State acquired the former CalSTRS
building, now called Folsom Hall. That building is home to the College of
Health and Human Services Center for Health Professions, which includes
the School of Nursing.
Construction begins this summer on another student housing project,
a $54.9 million structure next to the American River at the north end of
campus. And Sacramento State continues to work with partners on the
development of a satellite campus at Placer Ranch in South Placer County.
Still on the drawing board under a new Campus Master Plan are a
state-of-the-art Science II building and an event center.
Under Gonzalez' leadership, Sacramento State also has raised more
than $164 million and received such gifts as 150 works on paper by
internationally acclaimed artist (and Sac State graduate) Wayne Thiebaud,
the fully equipped HP Networking Lab in computer science, and support
to provide future generations of math teachers through the estate of
David Steinberg. During Gonzalez' time, the University awarded more
than $43 million in scholarships and created 304 new scholarships,
including the President Alexander and Gloria Gonzalez Public Service and
Community Leadership Scholarship.
Gonzalez also fostered such student programs as the Veterans Success
Center, an general education Honors Program, an Executive Masters of
Business Administration degree, a Business Honors Program, and the
Guardian Scholars Program for former foster youth.
"President Gonzalez has made a lasting impact on our campus and
restored a new sense of energy that has brought back so many Hornet
alumni," says Eric Guerra, incoming president of the Alumni Association
and newly elected Sacramento City Council member. As president of
Associated Students Inc., Guerra served on the CSU's presidential search
committee that selected Gonzalez.
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